5 Best Cloud Certifications 2019

By Ed Tittel, Contributing Writer December 10, 2018 04:02 pm EST

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Over the past several years, no other area of IT has generated as much hype, interest and investment as cloud computing. Though the term may have differing meanings for different users, there's no doubt that the cloud is now a permanent fixture for end users and service providers, as well as global companies and organizations of all sizes. As a result, cloud computing attracts considerable coverage and attention from certification providers and companies that offer cloud-related products, such as Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft and VMware.

A Forbes article on cloud computing forecasts summarizes key statistics regarding the current cloud computing landscape and also includes a look to the future. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the dominant cloud computing player and achieved an incredible 43 percent year-over-year growth. According to Wikibon predictions, AWS revenue should top $43 billion by 2022. AWS is followed closely by Microsoft Azure and the Google Cloud Platform.

According to industry analyst the International Data Corporation (IDC), the cloud has grown much faster than previously predicted. New projections indicate that spending on public cloud services and infrastructure is expected to top $160 billion in 2018, which is an increase of 23.2 percent from 2017. IDC also predicts a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9 percent by 2021 with spending for public cloud services to exceed $277 billion. Those are huge numbers, in an era when the U.S. economy is growing at less than 3 percent and global GDP is at 4.2 percent.

A close examination of what's available to IT professionals by way of cloud-related certifications shows a large and growing number of credentials. For 2019, the best cloud certifications include both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific certification options from some top players in the market. However, certification providers watch technology areas carefully, and seldom jump into any of them until clear and strong interest has been indisputably established.

Cloud professionals should expect to earn a healthy income. SimplyHired reports average salaries for cloud administrators at just under $75,000, while cloud developers average nearly $118,000 annually. Cloud architects are the big winners, with average earnings coming in at $129,469 and some salaries shown as high as $179,115.

Before you peruse our list of the best cloud certifications for 2019, check out our overview of the relative frequency at which the top five picks show up in job postings. Keep in mind that these results are a snapshot in time and actual demand for certifications could fluctuate.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Amazon Web Services launched its AWS certification program in May 2013. Currently, the program offers role-based credentials at the foundation, associate, and professional levels along with several specialty certifications. AWS certifications focus on preparing candidates for developer, operations and architect roles.

Our featured cert is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification, which targets networking professionals with two or more years of experience designing and deploying cloud environments on AWS. A person with this credential works with clients to assess needs, plan and design solutions that meet requirements; recommends an architecture for implementing and provisioning AWS applications; and provides guidance throughout the life of the projects.

A candidate for this certification should be highly familiar with topics such as high availability and business continuity, costing, deployment management, network design, data storage, security, scalability and elasticity, cloud migration, and hybrid architecture.

Other certifications in the AWS certification program include the following:

Architect

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: Identifies and gathers requirements for solution plans and provides guidance on architectural best practices throughout AWS projects. Serves as the prerequisite credential for the professional-level certification.

The Certified Cloud AWS Practitioner is the sole foundation-level certification offered by AWS. While not required, it is a recommended prerequisite for associate, professional and specialty certs in the AWS certification family.

With about 40 percent market share, Amazon continues to hold the top spot in the cloud computing services market. That makes the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional credential a feather in the cap of channel partners for whom AWS is a major part of their business. The credential also distinguishes partners from their competitors, perhaps giving them an advantage in the pursuit of new clients.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional Facts & Figures

Certification Name

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Prerequisites & Required Courses

Required:

Hands-on experience with cloud architecture design and deployment on AWS (two or more years required)

Ability to evaluate cloud application requirements and make recommendations for provisioning, deployment and implementation on AWS

Skilled in best practices on architectural design at the enterprise, project and application level

CCNA Cloud: Cisco Certified Network Administrator Cloud

Cisco Systems was founded in 1984 and has become a household name in the realm of IT. Cisco maintains a strong global presence, boasting more than 74,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue of $49.3 billion.

To support its products and customers, Cisco developed and maintains a strong training and certification program, offering credentials at entry, associate, professional, expert and architect levels. Cisco offers two cloud-based credentials: The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Cloud and the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Cloud. The CCNA and CCNP enjoy a strong presence in the cloud and are featured in this year's top five list.

An entry-level credential, the CCNA Cloud targets IT professionals working in roles such as network or cloud engineer and cloud administrator. The CCNA Cloud credential validates a candidate's ability to support cloud-based Cisco solutions. Candidates should possess a basic knowledge of cloud infrastructure and deployment models, cloud networking and storage solutions, provisioning, preparation of reports, ongoing monitoring and other cloud administrative tasks.

Two exams are required to earn the CCNA Cloud. Training is highly recommended, but not required. The credential is valid for three years, after which the credential holder must recertify by passing one of the qualifying recertification exams. Credential holders should check Cisco's certification webpage for the current list of qualifying exams.

In addition to cloud, the CCNA credential is available for numerous other solution tracks, including Cyber Ops, Routing and Switching, Wireless, Data Center, Security, Collaboration, Industrial, and Service Provider.

Cisco maintains numerous resources for credential seekers, including exam topics, blogs, study and discussion groups, training videos, seminars, self-assessment tools, Cisco Learning Network games and practice exams. Visit the certification webpage and each exam webpage for more information. Books and other training materials are available from the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore.

CCNP Cloud: Cisco Certified Network Professional Cloud

Cisco certifications are designed to prepare IT professionals working in specific job roles for common challenges they may encounter in the normal scope of their duties. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Cloud credential is designed to validate the skills of administrators, designers, architects, engineers and data center professionals working in a cloud-based environment. In addition to Cloud, the CCNP is available in six other solution tracks: Collaboration, Routing and Switching, Service Provider, Data Center, Security and Wireless.

As the certification name implies, this is a professional-level credential for experienced cloud practitioners. Candidates should be well-versed in cloud-related technologies, such as Cisco Intercloud and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and cloud models (hybrid, private, public). The CCNP Cloud isn't all about theory. Successful candidates should also possess the skills necessary to design and implement network, storage and cloud infrastructure solutions and security policies, troubleshoot and resolve issues, automate design processes, design and manage virtual networks and virtualization, provision applications and IaaS, and perform life cycle management tasks. Candidates must also understand Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) architecture and related concepts.

The requirements to earn the CCNP Cloud credential are rigorous. Candidates must first obtain either the CCNA Cloud or any Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. In addition, candidates must pass four additional exams covering cloud design, implementing and troubleshooting, automation, and building applications using ACI. Training is highly recommended as the best way to prepare for CCNP Cloud exams.

The CCNP Cloud is valid for three years. There are several paths to recertification; most involve passing either a written or practical exam. However, candidates may also recertify by passing the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview and board review.

Cisco maintains numerous resources for credential seekers, including exam topics, blogs, study and discussion groups, training videos, seminars, self-assessment tools, Cisco Learning Network games and practice exams. Visit the certification webpage and each exam webpage for more information. Books and other training materials are available from the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore.

The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure credential requires candidates to first obtain one of the following Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSA) certifications:

Each MCSA requires two or three exams depending on the path chosen. The MCSA: Linux on Azure credential requires both a Microsoft exam and the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam.

Candidates must also pass an MCSE exam. These exams include topics such as developing, implementing and architecting Azure-related solutions; configuring and operating hybrid cloud using Azure stack designing and implementing solutions for cloud data platforms; designing and implementing big data analytics solutions; and implementing server infrastructures.

Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) offers free courses and training materials on many topics relevant to the cloud development. Microsoft Learning occasionally offers Exam Replay, a program that allows candidates to purchase a discounted exam with a retake (and a practice exam, for a small added cost).

As more and more Microsoft technologies are delivered and consumed in the cloud rather than on premises, Microsoft continues to beef up its cloud-related certifications. It does so by offering new credentials or sprinkling cloud topics into existing credentials. If you click the Cloud tab, you can see all the cloud-related certifications on the Microsoft Certification webpage.

MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Facts and Figures

Certification Name

MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

Prerequisites & Required Courses

One of the following MCSA credentials:

MCSA: Windows Server 2016 (three exams) or

MCSA: Cloud Platform (two exams) or

MCSA: Linux on Azure (two exams, one Microsoft and the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator - LFCS) or

If there's a contributing technology that enables the cloud, it must be virtualization, and nobody has done virtualization longer or from as many angles as VMware. The company's newest cloud credential is the VCP7 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCP7-CMA) certification, based on vSphere 6.5 and vRealize, which recognizes IT professionals who can extend data virtualization throughout the cloud.

Links to courses, communities, exam blueprint, instructional videos, study guides and more are available on the certification page.

Beyond the Top 5: More Cloud Certifications

There's no overall shortage of cloud-related certifications (nor certificate programs that also attest to cloud competencies).

Although it didn't make the top five list this year, the CompTIA Cloud+ is still an excellent entry-level credential for those looking for a foundation-level credential. More experienced practitioners should check out Dell's EMC’s Proven Professional Cloud Architect Specialist (DECE-CA).

You'll find vendor-specific cloud certifications from companies such as Google, IBM (search for "cloud"), Oracle, Red Hat, Rackspace (CloudU), CA AppLogic and Salesforce. On the vendor-neutral side, the Cloud Certified Professional (CCP) is a comprehensive program aimed at those who aren't tied to any specific platform. Mirantis offers performed-based OpenStack and Kubernetes certifications at the associate and professional levels. And while it's a relative newcomer, the vendor-neutral National Cloud Technologists Association (NCTA) CloudMASTER certification is also worth your attention. Candidates must achieve three prerequisite certifications or pass a challenge exam to earn the CloudMASTER.

MCSA: Windows Server 2016

MCSA: Cloud Platform

MCSA: Linux on Azure

MCSA: Windows Server 2012

Path 1 (for current VCP-Cloud or VCP6-CMA credential holders): Candidates who already possess a valid VCP-Cloud or VCP6-CMA certification need to obtain experience working with vSphere 6.x and vRealize and complete the VMware Certified Professional 7 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCP7-CMA) Exam 2V0-731 to earn the certification.

Path 2 (for current VCP6, 6.5, or 7 credential holders in a different track): Candidates who already possess a valid VCP6, 6.5 or 7 credential in a different track should gain experience working with vSphere 6.x and vRealize and then pass Exam 2V0-731: VMware Certified Professional 7 – Cloud Management and Automation.

Path 4 (for non-VCP credential holders): Candidates who are just starting with VCP7-CMA must gain six months of experience with vSphere 6.x and vRealize, take one of the required training courses, and pass the required exams mentioned in Path 3 above.

Ed is a 30-year-plus veteran of the computing industry, who has worked as a programmer, a technical manager, a classroom instructor, a network consultant and a technical evangelist for companies that include Burroughs, Schlumberger, Novell, IBM/Tivoli and NetQoS. He has written and blogged for numerous publications, including Tom's Hardware, and is the author of over 140 computing books with a special emphasis on information security, Web markup languages and development tools, and Windows operating systems.